One Bread, One Body: Exploring Cultural Diversity in Worship (Paperback)

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Product Description

As a troubadour for global music and an instigator of cross-cultural worship for more than 15 years in a variety of denominational settings, including congregational, national, and international venues, Michael Hawn has observed many faithful people who find that a taste of Pentecost in worship is refreshing and invigorating. In One Bread, One Body: Exploring Cultural Diversity in Worship, Hawn seeks to help bridge the gap between the human tendency to prefer ethnic and cultural homogeneity in worship and the church's mandate to offer a more diverse and inclusive experience. He offers a rainbow vision of the universal church where young and old joyfully and thoughtfully respond to the movement of God's Spirit in multicultural worship.

Hawn and four colleagues from Perkins School of Theology in Dallas formed a diverse team in ethnicity, gender, academic field of study, and denominational affiliation to study four United Methodist congregations in the Dallas area that are grappling with cross-cultural ministry. Their four case studies illustrate both the pain and the possibilities encountered in capturing the Spirit of Pentecost in worship. Hawn also offers a concise and practical theological framework as well as numerous strategies and an extensive bibliography for implementing "culturally conscious worship." This book is invaluable for congregations that want to undertake the hard work of cross-cultural worship.

About the Author

C. Michael Hawn has been on the faculty of Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, since 1992 in the areas of church music and worship. He previously taught at two Baptist seminaries and served as a church musician in congregations throughout the South. He has published over 80 articles and two collections of congregational songs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Alban Institute (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156699277X
• ISBN-13: 978-1566992770
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #329,949 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic resource for multicultural worship, September 16, 2008

By	J. Holm "Julie" (VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm the chair (lay) of my church's worship committee, and recently read this book in preparation for our committee's preparation for World Communion Sunday. As a lay person I found this book very approachable - the use of five-syllable theological words is minimized and explained. Nonetheless this was a rich book, full of inspiration, supporting the concern for more diversity in our worship to reflect the diversity of our community, and complete with good ideas.

The first section is worthwhile all by itself - it addresses the issues that move us to multicultural worship, and the theological concerns we need to have. But it's practical, too, with ideas of things in our current worship to look at, and some great challenges to our existing ways of thinking about what is "appropraiate" in worship.

The second section contains four case studies which reflect both the struggles inherent in striving for a truly multicultural church, as well as the joys that come with even a small measure of success in this area.

Most useful for us, though was the third section, especially the section on music. We've already implemented some of the suggestions in this book, and I think we're moving steadily in this direction, but the ability to me more intentional about this is very important.

The best thing about this book, though, is that it is inspirational. This is not an easy thing to attempt, and the inspiration of this book can help keep us going.